TC235: Cal Bailey, West Virginia State (encore)

This is only the second time that we have presented a previously aired episode as our regular episode of the week. You’ll absolutely not want to miss this episode. I’m often asked for my favorite episodes of Top Coach. That’s a difficult list to put together, but I can tell you this — West Virginia State’s Cal Bailey is always in my top five.

Coach Bailey coached at his alma mater for 36 years and has racked up over 1,000 wins and 17 conference titles. All that with a budget that never surpassed $17,000. Just like many coaches that we’ve chatted with before, Coach Bailey has had other opportunities, but he never really considered leaving West Virginia.

Except for a short stint serving U.S. Navy and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bailey has lived his entire life in the hills of West Virginia. You think you endure some hardships to play baseball? Listen to this story and you may reassess your difficulties. Coach Bailey is the genuine article, as my grandfather used to say. Can’t wait until I take that long motorcycle ride out east and stop by Coach Bailey’s farm for a long visit.